Our RV8A Fastback continues. As you can see we are still making a couple of modifications. If you have seen our previous post, we have made a little progress following the aft baggage compartment modification for the wheelchair.
I guess some will look at the side of the fuselage and say “what the”? Well this is to give Cliff easier access to the cockpit (door to be fitted soon). Yes aeronautical engineers in Sydney have crunched the numbers, this is not a modification taken lightly.
The aircraft is being designed to be flown by a paraplegic, so hand controls, wheelchair storage and access have been looked at during the entire project.
I am expecting the completion of the door mod by Christmas, then on to the hand control.
This will be similar to a helicopter collective, with a couple of changes. Up down for rudder control with elec trim switch, twist grip throttle and differential brake control. Yep a few hours in this one too.
After all these mods it will still have the same controls for able-bodied pilots. I still prefer the pedals and a throttle quadrant. Sorry Cliff.
Will post again soon

I finished up the wings last Wednesday. Thanks to Harland and George from Santa Fe for the help hanging the left one when they came and picked up my wing stands.

I've got the wingtip lenses done and the position lights (copies of Jeff Bordelon's) nearly finished. The empennage fiberglass is done with the exception of the HS tips.

More importantly--The fuselage kit arrived last night!!! I had time to rip open the crates and take a bit of a look. I also looked at the plans and instructions. The new RV-8 plans are beautiful works. The instructions for the fuse went from 28 pages to 81! Nice job Van's!

It looked like this Thread needed another update. Its cold in the garage but things are still getting done with family choices and the holidays approaching. I need to finish up the top cover and I'll flip the fuse for landing gear and belly skins.

I know kind of lame but take note of the D#%* gearboxes. They are clecoed in place and ready for riveting tomorrow when my dad comes over. They really sucked but came out real good and fit in place very unlike an OJ glove!

All the interior sheetmetal is done, the new raised turtledeck is done, the modified forward skin and canopy rails are done, forward baggage door is done, and the mount tab strips for 1/4 cowl fasteners are fabricated. Almost time shoot some interior paint.

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